Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-03-17

/ his oiliest and smoothest manner. i
shall consider it privilege to watch
by my Uncle while you obtain the rest
that you so evidently need.
Doubtful as to whether she would
be able to endure the fatigue Of watch
ing another night, Mary complied,
though she did 50 reluctantly, for she
had an instructive distrust of Rodney
Boyd, which she was unable to reason
away or explain.
Rodney Boyd sat in his easy chair
before cracking wood fire-for moth
ing would suit old Slmon Boyd but the
open fire place, around which he used
to gather IN happy boyhood. His
charge had beun quiet for the last few
hours, apparently in a light slumber.
Rodney's thoughts were busy. He
thought oyer what he would do with
the money for which he had been 50
long waiting and scheming. He glanc-
ed contemptuously around on the old
fashioned furniture, every article OF
which was so dear to his uncles heart.
It'll never do for me- he muttered.
III sell it olf-and the old house, too
That will be good way to get ril Of
the girl, and I'll do it,
Then his thoughts reverted to the
will with dissatisfied, uneasy feeling
why did he make one2 | was the
heir-at-law, and otherwise, would have
inherited all.
lie was aroused fron these rcilec-
tons by a groan from his uncle, iol-
lowed by sharp rattle. Oa reaching
the bedside he was startled by the
change Of his countcnance. lie turned
to the door to summon assistance, and
then to the bed, and standing at the
foot of it, watched quietly the feeble,
Nutteriny breath until it ceased al
together.
Taking the light, he held it to the
Iuil, glaring eyes, and then laid his
hand cr the wrist. Being satisfied
that life vas extinct, he went to the
desk that his uncle had spoken Of, an';
taking out the will, read it carefully
from beginning to end. His brow
darkencd as he did 80.
Ten thousand dollars to my adopt
ed daughter Mary and 'one hundred
and fifty year to my faithful servant,
Jameson, together with his cottage,
rent free, for life Why. it's down
right robbery, muttcred Rodney.
For Il few moments Rodney stood
moodily by the hearth, gazing INTO the
glowing bed of Goals, whose mute
temptation was added to that which
was struggling for the mastery in his
heart. Then lie flung the paper into
the fire, and waiting until it was
abaze, hurried out TO Il larm the house
hold.
Mary came in, and poor old jane
son, who was nodlng over the kitchen
fire, aud who had grown gray IN his
masters service, overwhelmed with
sorrow at the loss OF one they had 50
much cause to love and honor.
Lawyer Wimple looked up through
his spcctaces at the inIirm old man,
who stood irrcsolutcly at the halt-opcn
door.
Good morning, jameson, come in.
It's cold mclning for one like you to
be out in.
That it is, sir. begs partlng for
intrndin' but NE and may old woman
IS in heap of trouble and no mistake
And last night as we was talkin 1t
over, Husband, says Becky Jane, says
she, you SO and tell. Lawyer WlnpIe
about it, and II. be bound he'll find
some way to help US.
Ill help you if I can, Jameson,-
/ What is it,
Wal, sir, you know how ola Mr..
Bovd alters said that we should have
the cottage down by the river, rent
free, so long as we live; and we alters
counted OH t. But his nevy, Rodney,
who the heir law, says that there
ain t no papers to show for it, and that
it II be sold with the rest. It's rather
hard to be turned adrift on the world,
at nv time of life, and | know my good
old master never meant that it should
be So
Certainly not, I've often heard Mr.
Boyd speak of it. | have been out
West and did not learn of his death
until yesterday. DO you mean to say
that he left no will?'
No, / don't say that, sir; only there